Stamkos' two goals lift Lightning

Five days away from competition did some wonders for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

By JODY ROYCE

Five days away from competition did some wonders for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

That, and a sour taste from the Bolts' last meeting with Ottawa.

Steven Stamkos had a pair of power-play goals and Alex Tanguay got his first in a Lightning sweater as Tampa Bay knocked off the Senators 5-2 Thursday night before 13,213 at the Times Forum.

Two weeks earlier, the Sens embarrassed the Lightning 7-1 in Ottawa. This time, Tampa Bay (4-3-3) had the better of the play against Ottawa (6-3-2), with Stamkos leading the way.

"We used that as motivation," Stamkos said. "I think we got them back."

Up 1-0, the Lightning added to the lead early in the second period. Steve Downie set up David Hale in the slot, but the shot was blocked. However, Todd Fedoruk put home the rebound past Sens goalie Brian Elliott at 4:34.

Elliott had robbed Zenon Konopka from point-blank range after a great setup from Downie. The Lightning got another good chance on a penalty kill when Vincent Lecavalier sent Martin St. Louis on a breakaway.

St. Louis was tripped by Sens defenseman Filip Kuba and was awarded a penalty shot at 10:07, but St. Louis put his shot over the net.

The lead grew to 3-0 with 5:12 left in the second when Ryan Malone stuffed one past Elliott, who failed to protect the right post.